International Relations Commons^™

Technology, Repression, And Contention: How Do Internet And Communication Technologies Affect Political Violence And Collective Action?, Reyhan Topal

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation explores the impact of new technologies on state repression, political violence, and contentious politics via three interrelated studies. The first chapter presents a novel theory that describes the technology policies the Chinese government uses to oppress Uyghurs and turn them into obedient citizens. The chapter analyzes artificial intelligence tools, incarceration testimonies, official documents, police data, satellite evidence, and reports by nongovernmental organizations and scholars. Its findings shed light on the pervasive and increasingly dangerous nature of state repression in the digital age. The second chapter investigates the relationship between digital repression and the nature of conflicts using a …

Who Speaks For The State?, Robert Young, Kristina Daugirdas, Diem Ho, Duncan Pickard, Larry D. Johnson

Articles

Who speaks for the state is a critical question in international relations. Statements by government representatives have normative force—capable of binding the state in numerous ways, from norm formation to staking out a litigation position. Governments choose their representatives carefully, and typically vet positions and even statements in advance. Indeed, the stability of international relations hinges on the assumption that state representatives act with governmental authority. The stakes of disputes over who speaks for the state are thus high.

Several such contestations have emerged in recent years, in a variety of international fora. At the United Nations General Assembly, the …

When The Empires Strike Again: The Effects Of An Imperial Past On The Post-Cold War International Order, Begum Wolfe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although on the surface empires appear to be ancient and irrelevant political constructs from a distant past, I argue in this dissertation that even after the empire officially dissolves, the core of the bygone empire continues its political existence in the mindsets of the empire-bearing people. This is mainly explained through certain imperial memories, glories and traumas, that have permeated into these states’ identities. In these so-called post-imperial states, then, such a unique experience of having functioned as an empire translates into foreign policy behavior that is patterned, predictable, but also puzzling especially regarding certain issues with an imperial baggage. …

Soccer Sheikhs: Qatar, Football, And The Quest For Self-Confidence And Global Prominence, Ali Ahsan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines Qatar’s strategic use of football as a mechanism for securing ontological security within the international system. Moving beyond standard International Relations explanations of state behavior, the study draws on ontological security theory which emphasizes the need of states to sustain a coherent sense of self through routines, narratives, and recognition. By framing football as such a practice, the dissertation advances the study of sport as a growing area of interest in the political sciences. Through a qualitative methodology employing Reflexive Thematic Analysis of expert interviews, the research analyzes Qatar’s football policies, including hosting the 2022 FIFA World …

The Position Of The United States Of America Vis-A-Vis The Question Of Western Sahara: Assessing The Role Of Think Tanks In The Conflict, Hamid Baadeche

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

The Position of the United States of America Vis-à-vis the Question of Western Sahara: Assessing the Role of Think Tanks in the Conflict

Hamid Baadeche

Think tank organizations, particularly in the United States, have become a prominent feature of the political landscape. They act as advocates for specific policies that they consider beneficial for the country or a particular societal group. They function as a primary source of information, which they then aim to transform into well-informed policies and sound decisions. They are referred to as "the revolving doors," "idea brokers," and "idea factory." As such, their foremost objective …

Parting The Corn Rows: Nikita Khrushchev’S Visit To Iowa, 1959, Jordan Stiles

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On September 23, 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited Roswell Garst to inspect US hybrid corn and agricultural methods. Khrushchev’s initial reforms are discussed to show why Khrushchev sought agricultural knowledge abroad. The details of Khrushchev’s and Garst’s life regarding their work in agriculture are explored up to the visit. The visit would leave an indelible mark on the USSR and Iowa. Khrushchev and his successors would use Garst’s model for hybrid corn farming as the template for Soviet farming. Garst would use his limelight to catapult his corn diplomacy into action around the world. Lastly, the legacy of Khrushchev’s …

Trust On Trial: How U.S. Foreign Policy Eroded Public Trust, Rawan Al-Samarrie

Undergraduate Research Posters

Public trust in the U.S. government has declined sharply over the past several decades, falling from roughly 75% in the late 1950s to almost 15% today. This project examines how major U.S. foreign policy decisions, specifically during the Vietnam War, the post-9/11 Global War on Terror, and the ongoing conflict in Palestine, have contributed to this erosion of trust. Through qualitative analysis of historical records, public opinion data, and scholarly assessments of U.S. military actions and their global consequences, the research identifies recurring patterns in how government narratives, media framing, and revelations of human rights violations shape public perception. Findings …

China’S Mediation Of The Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement And Its Implications On Regional Peace And Security, Henelito Jr A. Sevilla

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

The Middle East’s geopolitical landscape during the Cold War was characterized by ideological and religious differences among regional powers and their conflicting allegiances to the United States and the Soviet Union. Iran and Saudi Arabia held vast energy reserves and shaped regional divisions along religious and geopolitical lines. These divisions carried over to the post-Cold War era, exposing the Middle East to decades-long crises and proxy warfares. Domestic and regional problems are intensified by the interference of external powers, further deteriorating the prospects of peace and security in the region. Small countries avoid entanglement in big-power rivalries and focus on …

Nonprofit Spotlight: Choice Humanitarian, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Research Summaries: Access To Education, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Full Issue: Access To Education, Angie Holzer

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Brexit And The Spillover Phenomenon: Scotland, Northern Ireland, And Gibraltar, Timea Varga

Journal of Global Awareness

In my research, I examined the consequences of Brexit and the spillover phenomenon. Even though the United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 December 2020 with a deal, the resulting challenges are not solved at all in 2024 either – Brexit has brought to the surface such conflicts that London considered dealt with a long time ago. However, questions of autonomy and independence are not so easy to resolve; they have their roots in history, and in this uncertain situation, they came to the fore again.

Northern Ireland, Gibraltar, and Scotland have always meant sources of conflict for the …

Notes From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

Landscapes Of Learning: How Nonprofits Are Bridging Educational Divides, Erica Jensen

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Lack Of Women In Federal Level Politics In The United States, Ellie E. Romans Draper

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This paper explores the enduring underrepresentation of women in U.S. federal politics, analyzing historical exclusions and contemporary challenges. It identifies that, despite women constituting 50.5% of the population, they held only 28% of Congressional seats in 2023. The study assesses barriers such as the scarcity of female role models, inadequate support, and entrenched societal expectations that discourage political participation. Key findings suggest that these factors not only restrict women's entry and progression in politics but also affect democratic integrity and policy inclusivity. It highlights the organization She Should Run, which encourages women from diverse backgrounds to pursue political office, providing …

The Collective: Elevating Care For Children Through Collaboration, Cameron Outlaw

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

A Child’s Hope Foundation fosters connection in the orphan care space through The Collective, an association composed of NGOs, care providers, and government agencies. The focus of The Collective is to eliminate isolation in orphan care by connecting everyone in the space to the support they need. A Child’s Hope Foundation fulfills these needs through connecting caregivers to needed resources, building partnerships with governments and nonprofit agencies, and supporting family placement for children.

Enhancing Data-Driven Decisions By Improving Nonprofit Transparency And Collaboration: A Study Of The Accessibility Of Nonprofit Data In The Global Landscape, Angie Holzer, Beverli Dewalt, Louis Ye

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This paper addresses the pressing need for enhanced transparency of nonprofit data to improve nonprofit collaboration, emphasizing the development of a global nonprofit database. Globally, there is a lack of transparency and accessibility to nonprofit data, which reduces the ability to make better decisions 1) between nonprofits as they work to collaborate and improve outcomes, 2) with nonprofit resource providers (foundations, volunteers, donors, company CSR programs, governments, grantees, etc.) when making decisions about who to support, and 3) with nonprofits as they attempt to reach those who need their services. By analyzing 34 nonprofit databases from the European Union, the …

Bench Stacking And Biases: The Icj’S Partial Decision In Yugoslavia V. Nato Members In Comparative Perspective, Jeffrey S. Bachman

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Since the Genocide Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in 1948, eight cases have been brought to the ICJ by invoking Article IX of the Genocide Convention as a basis of the Court’s jurisdiction. Only two cases have reached their conclusion based on the merits of the case, with others decided during preliminary proceedings, while still others remain ongoing. There have been numerous studies of ICJ impartiality, with particular focus on judges’ voting records, using large amounts of data to discern any trends and biases. This article is the first attempt to comparatively analyze ICJ genocide cases using an …

Trump And China: The Rocky Road Ahead, Mel Gurtov

Politics and Global Affairs Faculty Publications and Presentations

China’s consistent message to the U.S. since Donald Trump’s election is the need for deeper cooperation. But Trump and his hawkish advisers and Congress members seem bent on a trade war and closer ties to Taiwan. His strategy is that once the Middle East and Ukraine are “solved,” he will be positioned to force Xi Jinping’s hand. But the Chinese have options for dealing with U.S. economic pressure. Still, Trump might bargain on U.S. security ties if he can get a deal on trade. The most likely outcome is more tension in U.S.-China relations and a further drift toward Cold …

Se Busca Ayuda: Tyson Se Dirige A Migrantes De Nueva York Para Trabajos En Sus Fábricas En Tennessee, Carlos Garcia

Capstones

This article is about several Venezuelan migrants who lived in New York City who were recruited by Tyson to work at their meat processing plants in Tennessee. The work details the offers they were given by Tyson, how their lives changed from NYC to Jackson, TN, and their hopes for the future.